Bernice King Urges Release of Epstein Files After Trump Administration Unseals MLK Assassination Documents
On July 21, 2025, Bernice King, the youngest daughter of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., made headlines with a bold statement on X: “Now, do the Epstein files.”
This came shortly after the Trump administration released over 230,000 pages of previously classified documents related to her father’s 1968 assassination.
The release, announced by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, has sparked debate, with Bernice King and others questioning its timing and intent.
The MLK Files: What Was Released?
The newly declassified documents, totaling nearly a quarter-million pages, were made public on July 21, 2025, and are now accessible on the National Archives website.
These files include FBI records, internal memos, and details about the investigation into Dr. King’s assassination in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968.
They cover leads pursued by investigators, interviews with individuals connected to the convicted killer James Earl Ray, and interactions with foreign intelligence during the manhunt for Ray.
Some documents also highlight the FBI’s intense surveillance of Dr. King, which was orchestrated by then-FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, who viewed King’s civil rights work as a threat.
However, historians like David Garrow, a Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer of Dr. King, have noted that the files contain little new information, with much of the material already in the public domain for decades. Notably, FBI wiretap recordings of Dr. King, which remain under court seal until 2027, were not included in this release.
The King family, including Bernice and her brother Martin Luther King III, expressed concern that the documents could be misused to tarnish their father’s legacy, emphasizing the need to view them in their historical context.
Bernice King’s Call for Epstein Files
Bernice King’s post on X, accompanied by a black-and-white photo of her father, was a direct challenge to the Trump administration. She wrote, “Now, do the Epstein files,” signaling her skepticism about the motives behind the MLK document release.
Her statement came amid growing public pressure for the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender who died by suicide in 2019.
Many, including some of Trump’s own supporters, have demanded transparency about Epstein’s case, particularly regarding any high-profile associates.
Bernice King and her brother Martin Luther King III issued a joint statement on the same day, saying, “While we support transparency and historical accountability, we object to any attacks on our father’s legacy or attempts to weaponize it to spread falsehoods.”
They urged the public to approach the MLK files with “empathy, restraint, and respect” for their family’s ongoing grief, noting that their father’s death remains a deeply personal loss.
Who Is Bernice King?
Bernice Albertine King, born on March 28, 1963, is the youngest child of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. She was only five years old when her father was assassinated, an event that profoundly shaped her life.
Now 62, Bernice is the CEO of The King Center in Atlanta, Georgia, a nonprofit organization founded by her mother to advance Dr. King’s philosophy of nonviolence.
As a minister, attorney, and author, she has dedicated her career to preserving her father’s legacy and promoting social justice. Based in Atlanta, Bernice remains a prominent voice in civil rights, often speaking out on issues of racial equality, nonviolence, and historical accountability.
Timing and Context of the Post
Bernice King posted her call for the Epstein files on July 21, 2025, hours after the MLK documents were released. The timing of the MLK file release has raised eyebrows, as it coincided with heightened scrutiny over the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein case. Earlier in July, the administration stated there was no “client list” in Epstein’s files, a claim that disappointed many who expected more revelations.
Trump’s decision to release the MLK files, alongside earlier releases of documents related to the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy, was part of an executive order signed in January 2025. However, Bernice King and others, including civil rights leaders, view the move as politically motivated, especially given the absence of new Epstein disclosures.
Latest Updates on the Epstein Files
The Epstein files remain a contentious issue, with recent developments adding to the public’s frustration. In February 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi released what was described as the “first phase” of declassified Epstein files, totaling 341 pages, including flight logs, a redacted “black book” of contacts, and a three-page evidence list from searches of Epstein’s properties.
However, much of this material was already public from prior cases, such as the prosecution of Ghislaine Maxwell, and contained no major revelations, leading to criticism from conservative influencers and the public alike. On July 7, 2025, the DOJ and FBI issued a memo stating there was no incriminating “client list” and reaffirmed Epstein’s death as a suicide, further fueling skepticism among those expecting blockbuster disclosures.
As of July 10, 2025, Judicial Watch reported that the DOJ and FBI are still reviewing Epstein-related records for potential release, with ongoing searches for additional materials. Attorney General Bondi claimed the FBI delivered a “truckload” of documents after she set a hard deadline, and FBI Director Kash Patel is tasked with investigating why some files were initially withheld.
However, the administration’s refusal to release certain materials, citing their “incredibly graphic” nature, including videos and images of illegal content, has drawn ire from figures like Rep. Thomas Massie and Sen. Ron Wyden, who demand further transparency. Wyden revealed that the Treasury Department holds an undisclosed Epstein file with “follow the money” details about his operations, which the Trump administration has declined to share with the Senate.
These developments have intensified calls for a full release, with Bernice King’s statement amplifying the public’s demand for accountability.
Broader Implications
The release of the MLK files has reignited discussions about the FBI’s controversial surveillance of Dr. King, which included invasive tactics like wiretapping and disinformation campaigns under Hoover’s direction.
The King family has long maintained that James Earl Ray, who was convicted of the assassination, was not the sole perpetrator but rather a scapegoat in a larger conspiracy.
A 1999 civil lawsuit filed by the King family resulted in a Memphis jury concluding that government entities were involved in a conspiracy to kill Dr. King, a finding that continues to fuel skepticism about the official narrative.
Bernice King’s push for the Epstein files reflects a broader call for government transparency, particularly in cases involving powerful figures.
The Epstein case, with its ties to influential individuals, remains a lightning rod for public distrust, and King’s statement amplifies this sentiment.
Her leadership at The King Center, which condemned the MLK file release as “unfortunate and ill-timed,” underscores her commitment to protecting her father’s legacy while advocating for accountability.
Why It Matters
Bernice King’s outspoken response highlights the tension between historical transparency and political motives. The MLK files, while voluminous, have not yet revealed significant new insights, but they reopen painful questions about government overreach and the assassination of a civil rights giant.
Meanwhile, her call for the Epstein files taps into a public demand for clarity in a case shrouded in mystery. As Bernice King continues to lead The King Center and champion her parents’ vision, her voice remains a powerful force in the fight for truth and justice.
For more information on the MLK files, visit the National Archives website.
To learn about The King Center’s mission, check out their official page at thekingcenter.org.
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